PAW PAW, MI – The driver of a tractor-semitrailer was seriously injured Thursday afternoon in a pileup on westbound I-94 near Paw Paw that involved nine semi-trucks and eight vehicles, police said.

The pileup was reported at about 1:45 p.m. near exit 56 as heavy lake-effect snow fell in Van Buren County, according to Michigan State Police.

Troopers said that because of the number of vehicles involved in the incident, those that could be driven from the scene were taken to the state police post in Paw Paw and to a nearby truck stop so that westbound I-94 could be reopened to traffic more quickly.

Both lanes of westbound I-94 were shut down for several hours between exit 60 and mile marker 52 while police were on scene. One lane of the highway has since been reopened.